Glasgow Flyer
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 A Glasgow Flyer outside Buchanan Bus Station |
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| Parent company | BAA Limited |
|---|---|
| Destinations | Glasgow International Airport Buchanan bus station |
| Fleet | Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipse |
| Operator | Arriva Scotland West |
| Web site | www.glasgowflyer.com |
The Glasgow Flyer is a branded airport bus service in Glasgow, Scotland. It connects Glasgow Airport to central Glasgow, operating as a shuttle bus via the M8 motorway. In Glasgow city centre it operates from the Buchanan bus station, also calling at Glasgow's two mainline railway termini. It is operated by Arriva Scotland West under contract to airport operator BAA. The Glasgow Flyer service is numbered 500.
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[edit] History
The original bus service to Glasgow Airport was route 905, which was operated by Fairline Coaches under contract to Scottish Citylink, and ran a similar route [1]. Arriva also ran extra buses on this route. [2] All buses were in the Scottish Citylink yellow and blue colours, although the timetable stated buses in Fairline's livery may be used on the service at times. In February 2007, the 905 was re-launched with increased frequency and a new livery [3]. The Glasgow Flyer was announced on 1st June 2007 [4], with a start date of 9th July, and subsequently route 905 was withdrawn. However, Fairline Coaches have since started a competing independently run service, Glasgow Airport Link, using route number 905.
[edit] Vehicles used
Arriva invested £1.5 million pounds on 11 new buses for the service. The vehicles are Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipses, in a lime green, black and white livery. [5] Each vehicle emits 13% less carbon emissions than the previous buses used on the service. They were expected in service in November 2007, but the first was launched on the 4 December 2007 at Glasgow Airport. Between the new buses arriving and service starting, a fleet of Plaxton Centros was used [6], alongside conventional Arriva buses with branding for the service. [7] The Centros are now on standard Arriva routes. [8] An Optare MetroRider had been painted into the Glasgow Flyer livery for staff transport duties. [9]
[edit] Service features
The service has a number of features to make it attractive to the user. It operates at 24-hour service, 7 days a week and all year, with prices lower than the equivalent taxi fare. The service runs very frequently every 10 minutes at daytime. [10]
Another feature not often used in buses is that of WiFi. Each vehicle has equipment fitted, and the service is offered to passenger free of charge, enabling them to access the internet as they travel.
The vehicles have leather seats, and each has a 3-tier luggage rack. Each bus also has a journey information system, which announces the bus stop the vehicle is due to arrive at shortly before it gets there. It also notifies of train and subway stations, hotels and shopping streets.
[edit] Route
The bus follows a different route in each direction in Glasgow City Centre, due to the one-way traffic system there. The service takes approximately 20 minutes in either direction. [11]
[edit] Route departing city centre
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[edit] Route departing airport
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[edit] Fares
A number of unusual fares are available for the route, in addition to standard bus-like fares. Single and return tickets are available, but there are also "flexible tickets", which give more travel options.
| Ticket type | Adult | Child | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | £4.20 | £3.20 | Standard type ticket |
| Return | £6.20 | £4.20 | Standard type ticket |
| Open return ticket | £6.50 | £4.50 | Flexible ticket, offering a gap of up to 4 weeks from purchase before return journey |
| 10 journey ticket | £28.00 | - | Flexible ticket, offering 10 journeys on the service within 3 months of purchase |
As well as from the bus driver, tickets can be pre-purchased from SPT travel centres, VisitScotland and on the Glasgow Flyer website. Through tickets are also available to Edinburgh. Glasgow Airport staff passes are also available on the service.
[edit] Customer promise
The service provides a customer promise, showing how Arriva aims to run the service.
Arriva say they aim to present a safe, clean bus, in the correct Glasgow Flyer livery, with the destination clearly displayed, and the driver should be uniformed and courteous. Reflecting the rules of the Traffic Commissioner, Arriva will offer the next journey free of charge if the bus leaves early or is more than five minutes late, and they are to blame.
[edit] References
- ^ Fotopic image - A Fairline Coaches bus operating the old 905 Accessed 23 April 2008
- ^ Fotopic image - An Arriva bus operating the previous 905 route Accessed 23 April 2008
- ^ Fotopic image - An Arriva bus in newer 905 livery Accessed 23 April 2008
- ^ Arriva press release - "Glasgow Flyer announced" Accessed 23 April 2008
- ^ Arriva press release - "Buses launched" Accessed 23 April 2008
- ^ Fotopic image - A Plaxton Centro being temporarily used on the service Accessed 23 April 2008
- ^ Fotopic image - A standard Arriva bus with branding for the 500 service Accessed 23 April 2008
- ^ Fotopic image - Plaxton Centro now on normal routes Accessed 26 March 2008
- ^ Fotopic image - The Glasgow Flyer staff transport Optare MetroRider Accessed 26 March 2008
- ^ Glasgow Flyer - Service information Accessed 23 April 2008
- ^ Arriva bus timetable - Glasgow Flyer 500 Accessed 23 April 2008
[edit] External links
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